Racing games have enjoyed immense popularity in arcades and online gaming alike for decades, with titles like Need for Speed and Forza Motorsport attracting gaming audiences of all ages. CBR reports, however, that the racing game genre is struggling to survive at a time in which gamers are spoiled for choice when it comes to games that feature cars but do not necessarily focus on the subject of racing. Why are racing games important, and what can be done to boost their popularity among younger audiences?
Learning From Successful Gaming Participants
As stated by CBR, despite games like Need for Speed making efforts to adapt and offering top quality features, the racing game industry isn’t garnering the same interest, even though games centered on vehicles are doing a roaring trade. Grand Theft Auto V (GTA), for instance, sold an impressive 20 million units in 2020 (a record number since the game’s release in 2013). In total, the game has sold 140 million units, making it one of the highest sellers since the 1990s. What GTA offers gamers that racing games don’t is a world that is completely separate from driving itself. The game features dynamic storylines and iconic characters, as well as fantastic music. Arguably one of its most appealing features is player freedom – i.e. players don’t have to get into a vehicle if they don’t want to; they can spend all the time they want looking around and exploring indoor and outdoor environments before getting to the action.
Industries Benefiting From Racing Games
Racing games have become increasingly realistic, but current evidence suggests that audiences prefer a wider context in which to enjoy this sport. Some games have added fun features such as online races to capture audiences, and indeed, extending the scope of racing games is key if specific industries are to continue to benefit. Just one of these industries is sim racing wheel production, which makes steering wheels to offer a more immersive experience. Popular sim racing wheel features include authentic leather, force-feedback wheel technology, quality pedals, and Xbox compatibility. The realism and authenticity they offer is one reason why, as stated by racing driver, Lando Norris, racing games are bringing an entirely new audience to the sport of Formula 1. Norris adds that playing games can showcase driver personalities, enlighten potential drivers to what it really feels like to handle a race car, and understand what an F1 team has to go through to accomplish wins.
Boosting The Appeal Of Racing Car Games
Racing car games will always have their place in the gaming universe, though sales indicate that they can do much more than be a niche gaming choice. Many companies are already effecting important changes to boost the appeal of their games. Forza Horizon 4, for instance, demands that drivers adapt their driving style as the seasons change from spring to winter. There are also many more activities that drivers can enjoy – including stunt jumps, endurance tests, and testing out one-off hypercars. Driver: San Francisco, meanwhile, allows drivers to swap their care for any other on the road with just one click. As noted by PC games, this enables drivers “to teleport through traffic to engineer a variety of automotive catastrophes just to screw with opponents.”
Racing game sales are currently lagging behind those of other genres, despite their improved quality. Realism is better than it’s ever been, though players are speaking loud and clear when it comes to their preferences. Expanded universes, a greater number of activities, great storylines and captivating characters are just a few features that seem to convert a game from good to great.
DC Fanboy! Superman is the greatest comic book character of all time. Favorite movies are Man of Steel, Goonies, Back To the Future
